Harlan Kirgan
A ban on burning in rural St. Landry Parish subdivisions is up for more discussion after the Parish Council approved it in June.
At Wednesday’s meeting, the burn ban was sent back to a September committee meeting for more discussion.
After the meeting, council member Wayne Ardoin said he is getting questions about the ordinance.
“The thing is very vague. We just need to look at it,” he said.
One issue connected to the burn ban is the public is having difficulty getting yard debris hauled from their property, he said.
“People get tired or seeing debris siting in their front yard,” Ardoin said.
The St. Landry Parish Solid Waste Commission contracts curbside yard debris removal. but Ardoin said that effort is not expedited.
Residents are to call Waste Connections to request collection of yard debris. The number on the Commission’s website is 337-942-4031. The Commission’s phone number is 337-826-5211.
Richard LeBouef, commission executive director, said if people with requests do not get a response from Waste Connections within 24 hours they should call the commission.
The ordnance includes:
No person shall cause or allow the outdoor burning of household waste, solid waste, leaves, or paper in residential subdivisions in St. Landry Parish.
This ordinance does not apply to fireplaces, fire-pits purchased from a store, and wood.
Whoever violates this ordinance shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than $500, and shall be imprisoned not more than 30 days, or both.
At a Public Works Committee meeting in July, Stephanie Quebedeaux and Stephanie Tyrrell commented on the burn ban.
Quebedeaux said, “You put it to the road and they never come to pick it up” in questioning the ban on burning.
Preparing yard debris as required needs the skill of a lumberjack, she said.
“I think this burn ban is ridiculous,” she said, also questioning the difference between burning wood in a fireplace and in the yard.
Tyrrell said, “I’m in favor of the ban or some form of ordinance to limit or curtail the ability to burn.”
Open burning poses a health risk and state law is permissive, she said.
Louisiana ranks 50th among the states in quality of health and St. Landry ranks 57th among the 64 parishes in its health quality, he said.
Breathing is a necessity. Burning is not a necessity,” she said.
Tyrrell, who said she has a master’s degree in environmental science, said most people do not need to burn, but she has seen people burning trash, mattresses, furniture and plastic.
Burning is happening frequently and all over, she said.
Ardoin, also after Wednesday’s meeting, said the parish needs to address issues such as burning in sugar cane fields during the harvest season.
Also sent back to committee is an ordinance to regulate group homes in residential areas.
Jerry Red, council chairman has urged action on ordinance noting a group home for at-risk and troubled youngsters opened in his district without public knowledge.
Red said the issue was driven home when a youth knocked on a door late at night.
Council member Mildred Thierry urged that the ordinance, introduced Wednesday, be sent committee for additional discussion.
Also headed to committee is a obtaining an appraisal of St. Luke Hospital in Arnaudville.
Ardoin said Opelousas attorneys have expressed an interest in the vacant building, but requested an appraisal before making a bid.
The former hospital is undergoing an environmental evaluation, which is federally-funded.